Program Partners Asking Local Corporations to Donate FundsEvery dollar received will be used to purchase gift cards in exchange for guns taken off the streets
The new Boston Gun Buyback Program is off to a strong start. As of this morning (June 14,2006), we have collected 100 firearms turned into police and community drop-off locations. As a result of the program’s success, funds for gift cards are running low. This is a “call to action” for local corporations to join our efforts to decrease youth violence and take guns off the streets of Boston.
“These are high-powered handguns that are used every day in crimes in our city”, commented Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Darrin Greeley. “Young men from the neighborhoods hardest hit by violence are laying down their arms in a major step towards peace.”
On Tuesday June 13th, a Ruger .22 caliber assault rifle with 2 high capacity clips was turned at a Hyde Park drop-off location. At a Dorchester site, an individual turned in a .45 semi-automatic in perfect condition. Monday’s collection included a .40 caliber Sig Sauer, a 9 mm Smith & Wesson, a .25 caliber handgun (all from young men of color in their twenties), and 2 handguns were turned into a minister in Grove Hall by a grandmother who found them in her grandson’s room.
“These are not junk guns from someone’s attic,” stated Jorge Martinez of Project Right, one of the community partners of the Buyback program. “Critics can feel free to live in our neighborhoods for a week and see if they’re happy to have these deadly weapons off the street.”
Mayor Thomas Menino, the Boston Police and community partners have developed a tight program, which effectively reaches out to Boston residents and turns away guns that are not in good condition.
“We will accept rifles and shotguns, but are not giving out gift cards for them,” stated Deputy Greeley. “At this rate we will run out of gift cards by end of today because participation in the program is so strong.”
Businesses or individuals wishing to support the program and take a gun off the street can send contributions to:
BuyBack Programc/o Ten Point Coalition215 Forest Hills StreetJamaica Plain, MA 02130(p) 617-524-4331
Every dollar will be used to purchase gift cards in exchange for guns taken off the streets.